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Cubs add Moscoso to mix for final bullpen opening

10/2/12: Guillermo Moscoso induces a double-play ball off the bat of Miguel Montero in the bottom of the sixth inning

By Carrie Muskat
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MLB.com |

MESA, Ariz. -- The Cubs claimed right-handed pitcher Guillermo Moscoso off waivers from the Blue Jays in their continued search for bullpen help.

Moscoso is not guaranteed a spot on the Cubs' Opening Day roster, but is an option for the 'pen. The team did tell right-hander Cory Wade, one of the in-house candidates, that he will not make the 25-man roster. That leaves lefty Hisanori Takahashi in camp, but the Cubs are still monitoring the waiver wire.

To make room for Moscoso on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Arodys Vizcaino was placed on the 60-day disabled list. He is recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Takahashi is a non-roster invitee, and the Cubs would need to open a spot on the 40-man for him as well. The lefty has given up six earned runs on 16 hits and four walks over 15 1/3 innings this spring.

The Cubs also have yet to finalize the position players on the Opening Day roster. Steve Clevenger is in the same situation as Takahashi. He's the last in-house candidate.

"It's a little weird not knowing what your fate is," said Clevenger, who made the Opening Day roster last year as a backup catcher. "I put stuff on the truck [going to Chicago]. I'm getting ready to head north, and if they tell me different, they'll have to send it to me.

"It's a little weird," he said. "It's a little nerve-racking, too. At least I'm making them make a decision rather than be already down in the Minor League camp."

Moscoso, 29, is 11-12 with a 4.16 ERA in 57 Major League appearances, including 24 starts, over four seasons with the Rangers (2009-10), Athletics (2011) and Rockies (2012). In each of the past two seasons, he made 23 big league appearances, with 21 of his 23 outings as a starter in 2011, and 20 of his 23 appearances as a reliever last year.

In his three starts last year, the right-hander was 0-1 with a 10.80 ERA, and he compiled a 4.42 ERA in 20 relief appearances. He will not pitch in Arizona -- the Cubs have one game remaining on Thursday -- and will not make the trip to Houston for two exhibition games.